New Delhi, April 24, 2020 – Ahead of World Malaria Day, Malaria No More lauds India’s efforts and consistent progress for working towards a malaria free India. Since India is highly endemic to the vector borne disease, the Central and State Governments have been dedicated in collaboratively curbing the number of cases thereby reducing the adverse socio-economic impact on the vulnerable sections .

For two years running, the World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report highlighted India as the only one of 10 countries with the highest burden of malaria globally to have made significant and consistent progress against malaria. Since Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s declaration in 2015 to eliminate malaria from the country by 2030, India has reduced malaria cases by more than 50%, according to data on malaria by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP). The Government also ramped up funding for the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program – department overseeing India’s malaria program (among other vector borne diseases) – by 43% from 2016 – 2019.

For high-burden Indian states like Odisha, success resulted from bridging intensified routine efforts like Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) distributions, with data-driven strategies by the state government to diagnose and treat malaria in the highest-burden villages in remote, inaccessible areas before each monsoon season. Pausing these efforts due to COVID-19 threatens the greater than 80% decrease of cases achieved within just two years.

Highlighting key factors, that will strengthen India’s malaria elimination programme, Dr. Sanjeev Gaikwad, Country Director, Malaria No More India, said “India has proved its dedication to end malaria, reflected through the diverse involvement in malaria programs of political, government leadership, community leaders, civil society etc. However, some areas of concerns still remain to be pressing, such as data on malaria from the private hospitals/establishments, timely replenishment of LLINs and strategic funding and involvement of the private sector etc. Active focus on these areas will make India’s malaria program even more robust and will bring us closer to our goal to eliminate malaria by 2030.”

Furthermore, protecting India’s progress and reducing
additional strain on India’s health care system is critical, as the country
nears monsoon. Ensuring
our healthcare force is protected and able to safely conduct malaria prevention
and treatment programs will reduce the potential for malaria cases turning
severe, which could lead to hospitalization and potentially death.

However, timely interventions can be useful in
maintaining control.

Speaking on the concerns, Dr. Gaikwad said “Due to the lockdown,
movement of health workers and ASHAs in mostly rural and tribal areas has
stopped, impacting active surveillance and direct interaction with families at
risk. However, insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs) have already been
distributed and all preparations for the pre-monsoon intensification of
anti-malaria activities in states like Odisha are in place. If these activities
could start immediately after the lockdown is lifted and before the onset of monsoon rains in early June, India’s progress against malaria can be
maintained.”

In addition, Indians can take action to protect themselves, their families and communities from malaria. This includes sleeping under a bed net and, if someone living in a place known to have malaria develops a fever, he or she should safely seek diagnosis and care as soon as possible.

While India maintains a steady year on year decline in
malaria cases, it still carried a significant share in the global malaria
burden for a developing economy. India, along with nineteen countries in sub-Saharan
Africa accounted for almost 85% of the global malaria burden – including deaths
due to malaria. Even as erstwhile malaria endemic states in the country such as
Odisha reported significant progress in reducing malaria cases, emergence of
newer hotspots in states like Uttar Pradesh is a point of concern. These new hotspots highlight worry about the
sustenance of India’s malaria program, and raise the need for recalibrating
strategies accordingly, especially in the face of COVID-19.

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About Malaria No More India

Malaria No
More India is a non-profit organisation working to support India’s 2030 malaria
elimination goal. Since the past two years MNM India has been working both at
national level and in India’s once highest malaria endemic state, Odisha. At
the national level MNM India has supported development of National Social and
Behavior Change Communication Strategy and working in Odisha through a
Strategic Support Unit that provides techno managerial support to the malaria
programme in the state.